Florida High School Football State Championship Playoffs

7A Viera (6-4) vs Harmony(9-1) at Viera Hawk Stadium 7:30 pm- Viera reaches the Playoffs in back to back seasons as District Champions. Last season the Hawks went 10-0 and lost in the 1st round to a less talented team. The Hawks are better prepared this season as they have played the toughest schedule in Brevard County. They developed a potent offense,strong team chemistry, and a level of toughness never before seen in Hawk Nation. Although their record is 6-4, this is by far, the best team in the schools short history lead by Senior College bound Athletes. Harmony has the better record but will be the heavy underdog. The Longhorns will have their hands filled against a swarming Defense and trying to contain the Hawks Receiving Corps. Look for experience from Florida’s Class 7A leading passer, Sr QB Hayden Kingston, to spread the ball around and lead the Hawks to their 1st Playoff victory. Prediction: Viera 43 Harmony 12  FINAL: VIERA 38 HARMONY 08, Viera will move on and have a rematch against Martin County. Lakeland vs Plant

6A Heritage(8-2) vs Deltona (7-3) at Heritage High School 7:30 pm- The 6A District 14 Champs will host Deltona coming off a tough rivalry loss, Heritage will have to regroup in a hurry. Heritage has had a great season thus far with its great Defense and rushing attack but Turnovers continue to plague this talented team and may end up ending their already impressive season. Heritage has shown when they put it all together they can dominate teams like Osceola or Merritt Island. They have also shown us that they can struggle against teams like Jensen Beach or Sebastian River when they turnover the ball. Which Heritage will show up on Friday? We expect the dominant Heritage who is hungry for its first State Championship, to show up and contain QB Marquise Lane and Deltona’s Zone Read Offense. Heritage handles business early after introducing the Deltona Defense to QB Daeshawn Mills, RB Josh Gaines,and RB Lasedrick King.  Prediction: Heritage 28 Deltona 7  FINAL: HERITAGE 56 DELTONA 14, Heritage will move on an play at Daytona Mainland next week.  Miami Central vs Carol City

5A Palm Bay (8-2) @ Bishop Moore(9-1) at Bishop Moore 7:30 pm- The Palm Bay Pirate Ship has Full Sails ahead going into the Playoffs after a year away from the State Tournament. The Pirates found a way to defeat Heritage last week relying on the pass after having its running game shut down. Playing great Defense and having more than a running attack is what will be needed to defeat Bishop Moore this week. Bishop Moore has a strong Defense this season only giving up 53 points through 9 games, then it ran into Lake Brantley giving up 488 yards rushing and 6 TDs to lose 42-6. Knowing the kink in the Armor, look for Palm Bay to establish the running game with Brian Lankford-Johnson as he surpasses 2000 yards for the season.                                  Prediction: Palm Bay 35 Bishop Moore 27 FINAL: BISHOP MOORE 38 PALM BAY 7, Palm Bay Eliminated

Merritt Island (7-3) vs South Lake(3-7) at the “O-Dome” 7:30 pm- Prediction Merritt Island 27 South Lake 7 FINAL: MI 28 Southlake 7, Merritt Island will have a Playoff rematch against Bishop Moore on the road next week. Hallandale vs American Heritage

4A Cocoa (8-2) vs Bishop Verot(8-2) at Tiger Stadium 7:30pm- Prediction: Cocoa 42 Bishop Verot 19 FINAL: Cocoa 49 Bishop Verot 12, Cocoa will play Avon Park next week at Home. Glades Central vs BTW

Astronaut (6-4) @Avon Park(9-1) at Avon Park Prediction: Astronaut 20 Avon Park 10 FINAL UPSET: Avon Park 33 Astronaut 19, Astronaut Eliminated.

3A Holy Trinity (7-3) @ Clearwater Central Catholic (10-0) at Clearwater  Central Catholic 7:30 pm- Prediction: CCC 35 Holy Trinity 10 FINAL: CCC 36 HT 0, Holy Trinity Eliminated.